Advent Calendar (new Ellen Hutson)

Hi there!

I'm here and on the Ellen Hutson blog today, with a special advent project featuring the new EBE House Box die, which will be available for sale in just a few more days!

I had so much fun making them all, and pulling out some of my Christmas decor to stage them!

I was so pleased to find out that I could cut 2 boxes from an 8.5x11inch sheet of cardstock. I cut them out of kraft-colored cardstock. I toyed with the idea of cutting them out of white cardstock for a more minimal look, or even red with white roofs for a more Scandinavian feel, but I felt like this matched my usual woodsy Christmas decor the best.

Once the base of the box was cut, I used some of the smaller die pieces to add a window to one side, and this Christmas tree open window to the other side. I cut a hinged front door as well.  I used a white paint marker to color the Christmas tree, and a brown copic marker to add color to the front doors.

I used some Lawn Fawn white woodgrain cardstock to cut panels for the roofs, using a scalloped rectangle die. I also stamped the numbers onto each box using Lawn Fawn's yeti ink and Celebration Countdown stamp set.

One final detail: I used the little window die and cut an extra window out of white cardstock for each house. Then, I cut it out using scissors and made myself a little window frame for each house. I love the extra pop of white that it gives!

The boxes open and close from underneath. It's so easy to slip in the chocolate or little toy that you will be giving out for each day!

I hope you like what I've created for you today - I just think they look so magical all together!

♥.

Easter blog hop

I love making new blogging friends.  I met Hani (of Haniela's) through Marlyn (of Montreal Confections - she is the talented artist behind my 10th anniversary cake and cookies.)  I love that dessert artists and paper-crafters can inspire each other!  Today, I'm joining Hani's easter-inspired blog hop with a set of stenciled muslin treat bags:

The how-to is very simple:



1.  Cut a bunny shape out of freezer paper (I used a steel die, by Papertrey Ink, but you could make do with a googled bunny shape and a pair of scissors).

2.  Iron your template, shiny side down, onto your desired fabric.  I stenciling onto muslin bags, but wouldn't this look so sweet on a baby's onesie?  or a little canvas tote?

3.  While you're at it, make a batch of them *grin*

4.  Grab your favorite fabric paint, and a sponge brush (ignore the fact that I'm a little ghetto, using the tupperware lid as my artist palette *grins*)

5.  Paint a few coats with ease - the freezer paper creates a bond so as long as you don't puddle your paint (thin coats are best), you'll get perfect results every time.

You can put Easter treats inside, just as is, or how about turning this into an Easter advent calendar?



I strung them up with other fabric scraps in between.... the little pom-pom tails are the sweetest touch, especially when you see them in a row:





However you choose to do it, it is a sweet little project!

Thanks for hopping my way!  Here's a shot of all the Easter inspiration that we have for you today.  Scroll down for the links.  (and ps, is anyone else cracking up over the fact that I'm presenting the only non-edible project? hee.)

3D Easter Bunny by Marielle - De Koekenbakkers

Chick Cupcakes by Robin - Bird On A Cake

Mrs. Bunny Centerpiece by Myriam - Chapix Cookies

Cheesecake Easter Eggs by Beth - Hungry Happenings

Cho "Bunny" Greek Yogurt Pops by Jill - Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

Hidden Easter Eggs by Stephanie - Ellie's Bites

Easter Egg Cupcakes by Liz - Hoosier Homemade

Easter Treat Pouches by Elena - Just Me (you are here!)

Mini Meringue Cake by Karyn - Pint Sized Baker

Bunny Cake by Kathia - Pink Little Cake

Easter Gumball Machine by Marlyn - Montreal Confections

Easter Island by Laura - A Dozen Eggs Bake Shoppe

Easter Bunny Sandwich by Michelle - Creative Food

Bunny Garland by Sue - Munchkin Munchies

Egg Hunt Pound Cake by Jennifer - Not Your Momma's Cookie

Dutch Easter Egg by Lorraine - Lorraine's Cookies

Easter Egg Painting Chicks by Mike - Semi Sweet

Easter Basket Cookies by Amber - Sweet Ambs Cookies

The Carrot Patch Cake by Kim - The Partiologist

Cookie Bunny Pop by Meaghan - The Decorated Cookie

Pretzel Bunnies by Sarah - Miss CandiQuik

I, Robot Egg Cookie by Hani - Haniela's

last minute advent calendar

I always have big holiday plans, but then... life gets in the way, and I end up starting my advent calendar project with only a few days to spare... what makes me feel better is knowing that I'm not alone ;)

It took me all of 45 minutes to stencil the numbers onto 25 muslin bags, and maybe another 20 minutes to dry-brush red paint on a set of clothespins.  Not too shabby, I think, for something that my family will keep for years to come.  I plan on stringing them up onto a little clothesline in our kitchen, and filling them with little chocolates and dollar-store-toys for the kids...and the husband...

If you are not familiar with the technique of using freezer paper to stencil onto fabric, it's very simple:

- die cut, fussy cut, or silhouette cut (yes, there is a way to cut freezer paper in the silhouette - but that's for another time!) your desired shape or image, glossy side down.  (I used Papertrey Ink's block alphabet number dies.)

- set the glossy side of the freezer paper to your fabric and, with a hot iron, adhere it to the fabric.

- with some fabric paint and a sponge brush, layer in your color.

- when the paint is dry, peel off the freezer paper and voilà! a perfectly painted image.  

- the next day, I recommend ironing your project again, just to seal everything in.

I used regular acrylic paint for the clothespins, and since my Christmas decor is headed into a more woodsy, and rustic direction this year, I decided that one dry-brushed coat was plenty.  They almost look more dyed than painted, and I love that.



What does your advent calendar look like?  What do you fill it with?  Truth be told, we keep 2 of them in our home.  One for daily holiday activities and Bible readings, and the one the kids run to every morning... the candy one.... hee hee.